Amid poll ratings drop, Escudero says he fought for countrymen
Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero. ARNOLD ALMACEN/Poe-Escudero Media Bureau
SORSOGON, Philippines—Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero knew what the surveys said.
From being the erstwhile frontrunner in the vice presidential race, the 46-year-old senator acknowledged his gradual drop and still fought on.
And on election day, his worst fears came true.
As of 12 p.m. Tuesday, Escudero remains fourth, with 4.6 million votes, but still lags behind Camarines Sur Rep. Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo, Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.
Already conceding the race, Escudero admitted foreseeing this situation beforehand.
READ: Chiz Escudero concedes defeat in vice presidential race
“I’m always a student of surveys. Aral ako pagdating sa mga numero at survey,” he said on Tuesday. “Pero utang ko sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa amin ni Sen. Grace (Poe) na lumaban at ibigay ang lahat dahil hindi naman yata tama na tumigil ka sa gitna ng laban.”
(I’m always a student of surveys. I study the numbers and survey. But it’s my duty to all those who were supporting Sen. Grace and I to fight and do the best I could because I don’t think it’s appropriate to stop in the middle of the fight.)
Escudero said that his tandem with Poe continued on despite what they saw in the numbers in hopes of presenting the public with an alternative choice.
READ: Escudero pleads: Give new gov’t a chance
“Nalalaman naman namin mula’t mula pa na kulang kami sa resources at makinarya, pero sinikap pa rin namin na bigyan ng option at oportunidad ang ating mga kababayan na makapili at piliin kung sino ang gusto nila,” he said.
(We knew from the start that we lack resources and the machinery, but we did our best to give our countrymen the option and opportunity to choose whomever they want.)
What surprised a lot was Escudero’s drop to fourth place, trailing behind Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte’s running mate Cayetano.
The soft-spoken legislator, though, said that should not be the case, with Duterte’s charm rubbing off on his fellow senator from Taguig.
“Sa tingin ko sumabay si Alan sa surge ni Digong,” said Escudero. “Pero mag-pangatlo man, ganun rin naman. Talo pa rin.” RAM/rga
(I think Duterte’s surge rubbed off on Alan. Even if I had placed third, it’s the same. It’s still a defeat.)
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